BARRED OWLS IN CAPTIVITY. Ill 



most into the water, and with almost unerring 

 aim lanced the victims with their talons and flew 

 out with them. Then the head was crushed at 

 its junction with the backbone, the spines were 

 bitten into jelly, and the fish was swallowed. I 

 have seen half a dozen small hornpout caught, 

 disarmed, and swallowed by them in a compara- 

 tively short time. Generally all the fish in the 

 tank were caught and killed before any were 

 eaten. Live frogs called for more agility than 

 live fish. When placed on the bottom of the 

 cage or in the water tank, the frogs seemed 

 to realize their danger, and as a rule remained 

 motionless. The owls would hang their great 

 heads towards them, and eye them intently. 

 The faintest sign of life would lead to a pounce 

 or a desperate chase round the cage. When 

 caught, the frog was subjected to a careful over- 

 hauling. Every joint was felt and crushed. As 

 they slid the slippery legs through their beaks 

 they seemed to be searching for spurs or horns 

 which might prevent easy swallowing. Once 

 found spurless, the frog soon vanished. The 

 wood frog seems to be their favorite species, and 

 the leopard frog the least well flavored. Once 

 Puffy caught a toad in the grass, but the crea- 

 ture apparently tasted so unpleasant that it was 

 quickly dropped, while for several minutes the 

 owl hopi3ed about shaking his head and making 



